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Subscribe to the magazine: www.motorrad-magazin.at/abo Read the magazine online: http://digitalstore.motorrad-magazin.at They don't give up. They want it, the cruiser; against all odds. And for many, that's a two-cylinder boxer engine. Something like that can get in the way when you're relaxing and stretching your legs on the 66 and you can't really enjoy the view of Monument Valley anymore. But the five-strong R-18 family isn't enough; now there's a mid-range cruiser again (in cruiser displacement dimensions). It's called the R 12 in just as simple nomenclature and is alongside the R nineT, which has been renamed the R 12 nineT. Same basis, different character. Both are powered by the 1170 cc boxer engine, which produces 109 hp and 115 Newton meters in the roadster and 95 hp and 110 Newton meters in the cruiser. There is also no variation in the now one-piece tubular space frame with bolted-on rear frame and the even greater accessibility for customization. The airbox is now integrated under the seat, which at 754 millimeters is 41 millimeters lower than on the nineT. The R 12 takes over the driving modes (rock and roll) from the R 18, minus rain mode. A switchable dynamic traction control, a partially integrated, lean angle-sensitive ABS Pro and the engine drag torque control are also standard. While the speedometer is still designed as a classic analog round instrument (with a small LCD window), it can be put into operation without a key. Finally, various electronics can be connected to a USB-C and 12 V socket. A solid basic equipment, but if you start the online configurator, you will see that this model - like many others today - is no longer delivered as a two-seater. The surcharge is still quite reasonable at 231 euros. You can also ride solo with the American alternative. The latest joke: there you even pay for the black paint, called Vivid Black. For the basic price, the Nightster remains gray. ABS and traction control, which can also be switched off, are not sensitive to lean angles. Apart from the paint, there were no other extras to be found on our almost virgin test vehicle, in contrast to the BMW press bike, which, as usual, has almost everything that the original accessories program has to offer (see data box). This puts the total price at over 20,000 euros and significantly higher than that of the Harley. Neither of them is cheap fun, with the difference that the Nightster marks the entry into the world of Harley-Davidson. A high staircase. The full report in motorcycle magazine 5/2024 #bmwmotorad #r12 #harleydavidson #nightster